My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at the cake with

is so pretty,

and a paper plate, preparing

some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday.

group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately

the ‘Happy Birthday’

close her eyes and make a

Rachel must blow

to Julian that there was no need

still lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come

a little girl who wasn’t

and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles

to say thank you!” their parents instructed, standing

on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and the whole scene was heartwarming

finally smiled for the first time in

don’t need to be so courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your

well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s expression was dull and

the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then.

and headed toward the

her apartment and about

a loud slam, the door was propped open by

made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar on

out on business? she

into the house and shut the door before surveying

been getting along fine

steps

toward her as he pulled off his necktie and threw it onto the couch.

suppose you wouldn’t want me

step he approached her,

idea what she did

hold of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all the way